Programme comparison
Compare programmes side by side
Select two programmes to compare passport strength, investment routes, tax, and migration pathways.
Programme A
Programme B
🇵🇹
View full dossier →Portugal
Western Europe's value proposition — EU citizenship in 5 years, NHR tax regime, and a lifestyle that draws 700,000 expats and counting.
🇲🇹
View full dossier →Malta
The only EU citizenship-by-investment program remaining — Malta offers a genuine European passport in an English-speaking, sun-drenched archipelago.
| Region | Southern Europe (EU) | Southern Europe (EU) |
| Passport rank | #5 · 186 visa-free destinations | #4 · 186 visa-free destinations |
| Safety | Excellent | Excellent |
| Happiness rank | #54 | #34 |
| GDP per capita | USD 25,000 | USD 34,000 |
| Tax summary | The Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) regime — now replaced by IFICI for new applicants from 2024 — provided 10 years of 20% flat tax on Portuguese-sourced income and 0% on qualifying foreign income. The new IFICI regime (for tech workers, researchers, and certain HNW) maintains similar benefits but has narrower eligibility. Standard income tax is 14.5–48%. | Malta's individual investor tax regime allows non-domiciled residents to pay 15% flat tax on foreign-sourced income remitted to Malta (minimum annual tax of EUR 15,000). Non-remitted foreign income is untaxed. Capital gains on overseas assets are tax-free. The Global Residence Programme (GRP) offers 15% flat tax with EUR 15,000 minimum. |
| Min. investment | No investment — proof of EUR 820/month passive income (pension, rental, dividends, or remote income) (≈ USD 900/mo income (EUR 820/mo)) | EUR 150,000 government contribution (South Malta property) + EUR 300,000 property purchase or EUR 10,000/year rental; or EUR 98,000 government contribution (Gozo) + similar property thresholds (≈ USD 440k+ (Gozo: EUR 98k contrib + EUR 300k property)) |
| Citizenship timeline | Citizenship after 5 years with basic Portuguese language test (A2) | Citizenship via MEIN route (separate program) |
| Skills migration | Profession-based | Profession-based |
| Work permits | Work Visa (D1), Highly Qualified Activity Visa (D3), Digital Nomad Visa (D8) | Single Permit (Non-EU Employment), Key Employee Initiative, Nomad Residence Permit |
| Key industries | Technology, Tourism, Financial services, Agriculture (wine, olive oil, cork) | Financial services, iGaming, Aviation MRO, Tourism |